Woakes’ Injury Throws England’s Ashes Hopes into Doubt

England faces a potential bowling crisis in the final Ashes Test after Chris Woakes suffered a shoulder injury while fielding. Gus Atkinson impressed on his return, but the concern surrounding Woakes casts a significant shadow over the team’s chances. The injury adds to England’s already precarious bowling situation, with Jamie Overton and Josh Tongue also battling fitness issues. Adding insult to injury, India fought back strongly in their first innings, reaching 204 for 6 thanks largely to Karun Nair’s impressive unbeaten 52 – his first Test fifty in years. The veteran batsman’s resilience helped India recover from a shaky start and placed the onus firmly back on England’s depleted bowling attack. Whether Woakes will be fit to play any further part in the Test remains to be seen, raising serious questions about England’s ability to secure a victory and potentially salvage the series.